FIRB approves 70:30 hybrid model
The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) is now supporting the 70:30 hybrid work ratio for Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
According to PEZA Director-General Charito Plaza, FIRB co-chair Ramon Lopez mentioned his approval of the hybrid arrangement until September 30, 2022, to the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
The PEZA chief added that IBPAP officials conveyed to them that the FIRB is set to release an official statement on June 29, a day before the start of the new administration.
“So, we’re still waiting for the memo in writing, then we’re going to publish and say this officially to our ITBPOs,” stated Plaza.
Although Plaza cannot hide her frustration over the months-long back-and-forth between FIRB and PEZA — stating that IT-BPOs suffered “worries [and] embarrassment” over the surprise inspection conducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on the instruction of the FIRB — she also expressed her optimism that this approval will bring the debate on the controversial hybrid work arrangement to a close.
